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Sirino hits hat-trick as Sundowns cruise into Nedbank last 16

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Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the next round of the Nedbank Cup with a commanding 6-1 victory over NB La Masia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Gaston Sirino bagged a hat-trick while Matias Esquivel, Terrence Mashego, and Lebohang Maboe also got their names on the score sheet for Sundowns, while Fuad Johnson scored the only goal for La Masia.

The game got off to a good start with both teams trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.

The Brazilians broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Sirino found the back of the bottom corner with a calm finish after being set up by Lebohang Maboe.

Sundowns doubled their lead four minutes later after Esquivel bagged his first goal with an incredible free-kick to find the top corner.

Mashego made it 3-0 after 27 minutes of play with a calm finish after a inch-perfect pass from Esquivel.

La Masia were then awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after Allende was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box. Johnson stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick to make it 3-1.

The visitors responded five minutes later when Sirino scored his second goal of the game after a wonderful assist from Maboe.

Sundowns proved too strong in the first half of the game as they went into the half-time interval with a commanding 4-1 lead over La Masia.

The visitors made a triple change at the restart as Bongani Zungu, Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema came on to replace Lebusa, Allende and Mendieta.

Maboe eventually got a goal of his own in the 49th minute when Sirino turned provider to set up the Sundowns attacker to make it 5-1.

The Brazilians put the game beyond La Masia when Sirino completed his hat-trick after slotting home a cross from substitute Lorch.

Rulani Mokwena opted to make two changes within the space of four minutes between the 72nd and 76th minute as Brian Onyango came on for Lunga and Maboe was taken off and replaced by Tashreeq Matthews.

Sundowns were unable to add to their goal tally and held on to secure a comfortable 6-1 victory over La Masia to book their place in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix